By Ricardo Roura
The total cost can be raised to $126,000 million. of the construction of the California high-speed train, projected to link the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
According to a report on the CBS broadcast of “60 Minutes,” project officials said that The project has already exceeded $120,000 million dollarsand estimated that the complete investment of the railway line could cost about $126,000 million.
The increase represents approximately triple the long-established pricewhich was approved by Golden State voters in 2008, when the California High-Speed Rail Authority estimated the project would cost $forty five billion dollars.
Keep reading: California accelerates its high-speed rail with a new logistics center in Kern
According to California politicians, such as Governor Gavin Newsom, they have stated that Voters initially approved $33 billion for the high-speed train project.
According to state officials, The planned opening date for the first phase, which runs from Kern County to Merced, has been postponed to 2033as lack of financing, construction delays and constant political battles threaten the future of the project.
The Trump administration withdrew $4 billion in federal funds last year for the high-speed train project.
Keep reading: California high-speed train moves towards its connection between Los Angeles and San Francisco
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy dismissed the project calling it “a ridiculous train that goes nowhere”.
Given the rapid increase in costs and the extension of execution times, California Legislature expected to hold hearings to investigate project budget increase and the constant delays.
High-speed train aims to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco on trips lasting two hours and 40 minutes.
Keep reading: When will the California bullet train be ready? This says the new opinion 2026
With a maximum speed of $220 miles per hour (354 km/h)California’s high-speed trains would be the fastest in the United States, as well as among the fastest in the world.
The construction of the railway line started in the Central Valley in 2015.
Keep reading:
· Brightline West train in California delays its inauguration and high speed is delayed
· Trump withdraws federal funds for high-speed rail in California
· $4 billion federal funding for California bullet train in jeopardy
